Envy

  Mu Zi Yun's gaze was like a sharp bamboo leaf, cutting through the air, and in an instant, a thick and heavy aura burst out, startling Yin Zi into a cold sweat.

  "Master, what's wrong?" He asked timidly, his eyes flickering.

  Mozi's lips curled up slightly, and the paleness on her face slowly faded away, replaced by a hint of radiance. "When you went out earlier, did no one really see you?"

  He spoke slowly and deliberately, but the words sent a chill down Yinzi's spine. He struggled to suppress the fear rising in his chest and replied respectfully: "This subordinate is very careful, there should be... no one..."

  Under Mo Zichen's overwhelming aura, his voice grew softer and softer, until it was as faint as a mosquito's hum, and he even began to doubt the certainty in his own words.

  It's not his fault, he was indeed very careful, and the ordinary servants were dressed in a low-key manner. Unless they were extremely familiar with him on a daily basis, it would be impossible to recognize him. Moreover, the lush willow branches on the embankment had blocked Baoli Qing and Shangguan Yue, so even if they didn't notice him for a while, it was an unintentional mistake.

  Seeing the doubt and unease in his eyes, Mu Zi Yun shifted her gaze to the green wall opposite the window.

  The tall and slender bamboo under the wall swayed gently in the wind, its emerald leaves untainted by any other colors. The phoenix's eyes seemed to flash with a bewildering light, and Mu Zi looked at it for a long time before finally saying listlessly, "Forget it, you can go down now!"

  "Yes." Yinzi let out a breath of relief, as if he had been granted a great amnesty, and retreated with alacrity.

  Out of the Marquis's mansion, she strolled from the east city to the west, and when dusk fell, the Crown Prince personally escorted her back to the palace, only then did he return to the Yue Wang Fu with a satisfied heart.

  A hundred-year-old royal mansion, the most magnificent estate in the entire capital. The green tiles are continuous, the houses are staggered, and the huge courtyard almost occupies half of the land on the prosperous street where every inch is worth its weight in gold. The prosperity piled up by layer upon layer of tiles is no less than that of the small main halls in the imperial palace.

  Shangguan Yue stepped into the mansion, and Zhou, the respected housekeeper, immediately came forward to greet him, "Young Master Wang, Master Wang has asked you to go find him at Nan Xiao Garden as soon as you return."

  Shangguan Yue's expression didn't change as she responded with an "oh" and then kicked her feet and headed towards the South Xiao Garden.

  Halfway through, only one person walked out of the garden gate, wearing a brocade robe with a jade belt shining brightly. He slightly raised his eyebrows, and on his handsome face was a hint of inquiry. "A Xue, this morning your brother looked for you in the mansion but couldn't find you, and only then did he realize that you had entered the palace. Have you gone to see Princess Gao Yang?"

  He asked warmly in spring breeze, but his tone was just a statement.

  Shangguan Yue raised the corner of her mouth and smiled, "Not bad, I indeed went to see Qing Mei."

  Shangguan Yun also smiled kindly, and compared to Shangguan Yue's radiant peach blossom face, he had a few more hints of subtlety. "I said that people who don't get up until the sun is high in the sky are acting out of character by going out so early... From childhood, you and Princess Gaoyang have been close, and to this day, your friendship remains unchanged, it's really making me envious."

  Shangguan Yue lazily raised her eyes, but instead looked back at him and smiled: "The deep love between Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law is truly enviable."

  Shangguan Yun turned his head and saw a beautiful woman with a high bun walking towards him.

  A pair of butterfly-shaped clouds floated gently on the rippling water, a delicate phoenix butterfly fluttered among the flowers, its jade-like steps swaying softly as it hovered beside her raven hair. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with colorful lights as she glanced around, and a faint smile played on her lips. She was lovely without being showy or sharp, yet every move she made exuded warmth and elegance. "Prince Yu, you're teasing me again."

  Behind her stood three or four beautiful maids, each with a slender and elegant figure, standing in a row, quietly guarding the side. But standing together with the woman, they were obviously much duller and less conspicuous.

  Shangguan Yue smiled and said, "How dare I, how dare I."

  "Xiang'er, you weren't resting in the house, how did you come out?" Shangguan Yun hastily took her hand, and the jade-like fingers were tender and white as scallions, but the faint coolness emanating from them pierced directly into his heart.

  Baili Qian looked up at him with a gentle smile: "It was just a false chill, I've been resting in my room for several days and have already recovered."

  She looked at Shangguan Yue and jokingly complained: "I originally planned to enter the palace today, but I didn't expect you to take precedence over me."

  Qiu Shui's eyes sparkled as she asked again with concern: "Is Gaoyang's sister all right?"